You sit between Schlatt’s legs, writhing in pain. A particularly painful wave comes over you and you clutch his right. One big hand comes over your pregnant belly, rubbing up and down to comfort you as the contraction passes.

Schlatt hears you take a sharp inhale and squeeze your eyes shut.

“Try and breathe through it, darlin’, I’ve got you.”

You exhale deeply once it ends and release his hand from your grip.